Police ID motorcyclist who died after driving off S. Mountain cliff

A motorcyclist killed when his motorcycle went over a cliff on South Mountain in Phoenix Saturday afternoon was identified Sunday as Don P. Pender, 70, of Tempe.

Phoenix police said Pender and a female companion, also, 70, were riding the cycle with a group of bikers down the mountain about 12:40 p.m. when Pender overcorrected the cycle during a turn and the bike went off a 45-foot cliff, witnesses said.

Pender was with a group of 40 to 50 other motorcyclists, said Sgt. Andy Hill, police spokesman.

The group helped fire crews rescue the man and his female passenger, and medical crews transported both to Good Samaritan hospital in Phoenix.

Pender died en route to the hospital while the woman sustained minor injuries, Hill said. Both were wearing helmets.

Alcohol was not suspected in the incident, police said.